bystanders

noun

plural of bystander
as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bystanders Ultimately, Ridgway asks what responsibility bystanders must take for the injustices around them. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Boat Patrol, who were already on the lake conducting routine patrols, responded immediately and took over lifesaving efforts from bystanders until firefighters and paramedics arrived. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 Seattle’s police chief resigned Thursday after days of questions about the release of information following a shooting at a food festival that left three people dead, including two bystanders. — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 31 July 2026 The agents involved in this month’s incident in Maine did not have body cameras, but bystanders’ captured the aftermath of the shooting of Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero in Biddeford. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 30 July 2026 The mother then grabbed the gas pump hose and used it to keep Tucker away from her children until two bystanders rushed over to help, the video shows. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 The suspect appeared to be trying to attack one woman before bystanders rushed in to provide aid. — Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 Authorities said the suspect then attacked bystanders with a machete. — Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 27 July 2026 Both men duck for cover while the camera records other bystanders scrambling over a fence to get away from the threat. — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
  1. spectators
  2. observers
  3. viewers
Noun
  • An experiment with artificial intelligence at the annual Richard Wagner festival in the southeastern German town of Bayreuth drew boos from the audience after producing a staging that appeared to leave some spectators confused.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The experimental projections, generated from archival Wagner imagery and historical scenes including late former Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the 9/11 attacks, formed a swirling collage that left many spectators puzzled and restless.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of spectators
Noun
  • With no bright moon competing against faint meteors, observers under rural skies could see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, while even suburban observers should enjoy a steady stream of shooting stars.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Her decision to campaign publicly for Chan surprised some observers, given Wiener’s years of legislative experience and prominence in California Democratic politics.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of observers
Noun
  • As a result, even though the show leans into the gimmicky aspects of the crime genre, stunning reveals and cliffhangers keep viewers drawn in across the episodes.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Every year, more viewers shift their attention to streaming environments, and every year advertisers must adapt to maintain reach and relevance.
    — Kris Qiu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of viewers

Browse Nearby Words

bystander
bystanders
bystreet
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Cite this Entry

“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bystanders

Nglish: Translation of bystanders for Spanish Speakers

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